Malvirà

Malvirà was established by Giuseppe Damonte in 1950, a time when the Roero region’s potential was yet unrealized. Giuseppe passed his great passion for farming and wine on to his two sons, Roberto and Massimo. The latter took the reins in 1974 and began slowly turning the family’s bulk wine business into an estate focusing on quality wine production. The brothers worked tirelessly over the next 30 years and today their entire production comes from six vineyards over about 40 HA, all of which is organically farmed.

Few are as dedicated to Arneis grape, almost half of their production comes from this indigenous white grape. Despite its long history in Piedmont, Arneis almost went extinct in the early 1990s when fewer than 60 HA remained. As a sign of their dedication to preservation, in 1983 Malvira purchased the famed Renesio vineyard, wherein Arneis is said to have first been identified in 1478. In addition, the estate works with some of the oldest vines around, with averages hovering around 50 years. 

Much like Chardonnay and Riesling, Arneis provides a clear reflection of its particular terroir. From vines planted in stony calcareous soils, the wines are steely and mineral. From clay soils, a rich wine laced with warm tropical fruit is produced.

Complementing their range of white wines is Malvirà’s fantastic Nebbiolo, sourced mainly from the top of the Trinità vineyard, where there is a much higher proportion of clay in the soils. As is tradition, grapes  are hand harvested in early October and the wine is aged for 18 months in 450 liter French barrels (50% new and 50% second pass).